Disclaimer: Characters, settings, names from the cartoon television show 'Steven Universe' are creations and property of Rebecca sugar and Cartoon network. Any Non-steven universe characters, settings, names, Gems, Gem powers, beliefs, mythology are my own creation.

Author's Note: First off I want to say Thank you to every new reader who has favorited and followed this story. That means a lot to me and I love you all for it. Now, Steven heads down below the temple to talk to Peridot. He talks to Soren about their fight. He talks to Lapis about Carlos and he pays Bells and Citrine a visit. To wrap it all up, Steven and Connie reunite to talk.

Story Tags: Steven Universe, Lapis Lazuli, OC's, Connie Maheswaran Pearl, Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, Bells, Whistles, Citrine, Peridot, Beach City, Gem Powers, Romance, Adventure, Comfort, Destiny.

Music Inspiration: "Give you More" By: Diskord (Long Live Trap Music Mofos)

Chapter 25: Beating Heart and Sweaty Palms

Wednesday

May 15, 2016, 1:40 [Afternoon]

Crystal Temple, Top Right Arm, Beach City

"My prisoner?" Steven asked confusingly.

"Peridot." Commander Soren answered.

"What about Peridot. She escaped down to earth when me and my friends were in space in that hand ship we were all in."

Soren sauntered over to the washing machine where he leaned back against it. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked up at the sky. Steven rose up and sat with his legs crossed.

"Do you remember anything from our battle Steven Universe?" he asked.

"No. not really. I just remember Lapis...die. At least I thought she had died. She showed me when I was fused with Lion and formed into Leo Kunzite. All I remember was holding onto Lion while he did most of the fighting. I also felt someone else with us, I think it was my mom. Lion holds half of my mother's gem's power."

"I learned that piece of information pretty quickly after seeing you fuse with the beast. Do you know anything about your mother, her memories. Her former status in Home-world."

"I spoke to her once, my girl...my friend, Connie Maheswaran helped get in contact with her. She also has the gemstone of a Commander on her, on her um...chest. I may not have my mother's memories, but I have her partner Lion. Half of her powers and her friends who are also my family."

Commander Soren looked over to Steven and furrowed his brows and narrowed his eyes.

"You're friend...this Connie Maheswaran. You say she has the gemstone of a commander? Which commander Steven."

"Commander Smoky. So what about our battle Peridot. Have you managed to capture her."

"The result of our battle gave me this permanent slight limp that I can't seem to fix. As for Peridot. Her gemstone washed up on shore after our battle. I don't know what she was doing under the ocean, perhaps she sustained damage upon re-entry of your planet. She reformed and is being held in a holding cell under the crystal temple."

"Why did you put Peridot in jail...oh wait. I think I know why. She did kind of help Jasper put me and Lapis, Pearl and Amethyst in prison. And jasper did split Garnet in two. Wait, Garnet? Ruby and Sapphire. What happened to Garnet, do you know why ruby and sapphire separated!?"

"The little blue one. Sapphire. she told me that she was the one who undid the fusion. Something pearl said to Garnet before I woke up made her cancel the fusion. Pearl pretty much resigned herself to the fact that she and everyone else was dead if I woke up and finished the job. But I'm not that kind of commander, not anymore at least."

"That explains why two two are here instead of Garnet. Take me to Peridot Commander."

"Before I do that Steven. I need to know if you have any questions about me, why i'm here. If you can trust me."

"Guess I never thought about it. OK. Why are you here Commander Soren? What are you going to do now that you're here." Steven asked, crossing his arms over his chest, mirroring Soren.

"I am here because of a dream I had about you. A now dead but respected Goddess who reigned in the past, came to me and told me to stop what I was doing. She wanted me to change the way I was living and journey to earth to help you, The Shield of Humanity stop Home-world's ambitions, more importantly; Yellow Diamond's Ambitions.

As for what I'm going to do now that I'm here. First off, let me apologize for putting you and your friends through so much trouble by my coming here. I at first had hoped to take you under my wing to train you in how to properly utilize your gem powers to the best of your abilities. But i see that Carlos Montoya has taken up that cause."

Steven raised an eyebrow, looking surprised that Soren knew about Carlos being a Hybrid. "How did you kn-"

"I'm a Commander Steven. We can see hybrids, hidden gems, beings of pure magic like ourselves clearly as we see the stars in space. Their usually filled or surrounded by 'stars.' It's actually a perfect match for you to be under Carlos's tutelage. He's clearly had more than a millenia to get a control of and an understanding of his gem powers.

Bur right now, while you train under Mr. Carlos. I will be acting as this planet's guardian. That post will be yours only when you have full fluid control over your gem. Although, I wonder what would happen if the other half of your mother's gem power is reabsorbed into your being. You might even surpass the legendary power of Commanders."

Steven bit down on his bottom lip and furrowed his brows. He wonder if that's what his mother would have wanted for him.

"Come Steven. Time to Intercede for Peridot."

Below the Crystal Temple

1:55 [Afternoon]

Walking down the long spiraling stairwell that lead down to the holding cell for gem prisoners. Steven was feeling tired and hungry. Soren heard Steven's grumbling stomach and thought it something funny. But Steven didn't find it funny.

"You biological creatures are mystery of this universe. I can't even dream of myself having to eat and drink to refuel my being to continue living. Thank Red Beryl that us gems run on all the fuel we will ever need."

"That must be a boring life. I don't think I can live without eating pizza, burgers, fries, cookie cats, lion lickers and...and...i can't think straight right now. Too...hungry." Steven pressed his hands on his stomach.

Soren's whole body glowed which acted as a lantern for the two. Upon reaching the bottom of the stairwell, Steven stopped to look just how large and wide this rotunda that Soren created, was. The ceiling was a dome. Small golf ball size orbs of light hovered high in the ceiling, lighting up the room. There were large square empty shaped spaces all around, except for one which had a blood red force field up. Steven walked over to it and saw that there was someone sleeping on the floor, hugging their knees close to their chest.

They were green in color, light green actually. They were wearing a shirt and pair of pants with black and white stripes on them. Soren walked over and stopped alongside Steven who was squinting his eyes, trying to get a better look at the person inside.

"Peri-Peridot?" Steven said her name.

"She can't hear you. she can't hear us. This force field blocks out all sounds from outside. If she touches it, it will turn her to glass. Let me undo it so you can... actually Steven, would you like to talk to Peridot inside of her cell or outside?"

"I don't think it matter, it's not like she can escape." Steven answered all care free like, an answer Soren respected.

Soren pushed his black gauntlet armored hand past the force field and lifted it. "Prisoner Peridot, get up. You got yourself a-"

"Lawyer! Lawyer Universe here to plead your case."

Peridot rose up from sleeping on the floor and sat down on her heels. She seemed pretty normal with out those floating fingers and boots. She rubbed her eyes with her right hand and yawned. She looked over and saw Steven Universe with his hands on his hips with a large grin on his face.

"A lawyer? like a person who will speak on my behalf?" she asked curiously.

"Yep. But I won't help you unless you-"

"OH the Steven! Please get me out of here! I know I was a bad little gem before. But this time I promise to change my ways."

Peridot crawled over to Steven and knelt down before him, her hands clasped in prayer. Steven rubbed his chin with his thumb and index finger. He hummed and looked at Peridot who was struggling to put on and keep a sincere smile on her face.

"I don't know. You crushed one of your baby robots. Then you tried to squish me with that giant floating hand when I asked you a question. And then you came down with Jasper and Lapis and took me and my friends prisoner. Your portfolio is full of bad things with nothing to show you have a heart Peri. I'm gonna call you that now, Peri. That ok?"

"Uh what? Wait, no heart? Of course I have no heart, I'm a gem."

"He means the other kind of heart, prisoner." Soren clarified.

Peridot frowned and grumbled at Soren who relished at calling her a prisoner. Still, she needed to do something to show Steven she was not above changing herself to preserve her own life. She grabbed Steven by the hem of his black and pink flannel long sleeve shirt and tugged on it.

"If you release me...Steeeven. I will do whatever you want me to do. I will be your adviser, i'll help you and those crystal clods-"

"Hey!" Steven said loudly.

"I mean...crystal gems."

"Hmmm, I still don't know. Unless you cut off all ties with Homeworld, Yellow diamond and promise to build me my own spaceship. Then I'll think about it."

"I can build you a ship! I'm an expert builder, electrician and technician. And...and I prom-" Peridot was having trouble making those two other promises."

Steven let our a frustrated and disappointment sigh and turned around, prompting Peridot to grab a hold of him and inadvertently fell on top of him. Peridot straddled Steven, took a hold of his hands and pressed them between her own. Steven blushed as he took a look up at his prisoner.

"you want me to say it?! I promise to cut all connections and what little communication I have with home world and yellow diamond. I only hope you're strong enough for whatever that crazy evil yellow diamond has in store for your planet."

"Alright that's it, get off of Steven." Soren lifted Peridot telekinetically and fired her back into her cell. He rose the blood red force field up and helped Steven off the ground.

"I'm sorry about that Steven. Homeworld Gems like this Peridot here are in need of a little adjustment in manners."

"That's ok, I don't mind too much. Lion kind of does the same to me a lot. Ok commander, thank you for taking me to Peridot and keeping her in your custody. She doesn't know it, but I do intend on letting her out. Right now I have to speak to Lapis and then I'm going to pay a few other people a visit."

"Oh and Steven, one more thing before you leave."

"Yeah commander?"

"The owner of Commander Smoky's gemstone, have they shown any mastery over it."

"yeah she's actually very good with it. She even stood toe to against Lapis when she thought...when we were...look I gotta go."

"Sure thing Steven." commander Soren replied.

Lapis's Bedroom

2:20 [Afternoon]

Sitting down on Lapis's bed, facing her with his legs crossed. Steven shared something with Lapis who's been very patient with Steven since he's stopped by to talk to her. They spoke about Soren, about Bells and his family. But Lapis knew that Steven wanted to talk about something more than just about their friends and neighbors.

"I'm actually going to stop by Bell's home and talk with them a little. And the last thing I wanted to talk to you about Lapis, was about my training."

"You're training, yeah you're making real progress. In time you will be able to master your Guardian Mother Form. And then your master gem for-"

"That right there Lapis. My Mastered Gem Form. Carlos Montoya is going to train me."

"The other Hybrid?" Lapis questioned. Steven blinked a few times and shook his head side to side rapidly.

"You knew about Carlos this whole time Lapis?" Steven asked her, "I knew the moment I first saw him. I told you already didn't I? I learned to sense the vibrations of other nearby gems, it was a gift I obtained from being stuck in Malachite for over two years. So you're going over to Carlos now huh. I guess you're getting tired of me."

"Lapis No!" Steven took her hands and pulled her around him, making her fall back on her bed.

Steven blushed at the position he was in, but he didn't care as much as Lapis did at the present moment. Lapis locked her hands behind Steven's head, slowly wrapped one leg behind Steven.

"I'm not tired of you, I'll never be. Because...i love you Lapis. Maybe I'm too young to understand what that word means or the...the...what's the word. The...weight it carries. But there's no other word that I can use to describe how I feel about you."

Steven laid down on Lapis, he hugged Lapis and rested the side of his face on her shoulder. Lapis held Steven closer to her and brushed her hand through his dark brown curly hair. Lapis leaned in to press a kiss on Steven's lips. She giggled at him and pressed her forehead down on his.

"I'm switching to Carlos because he's like me. He had a gem mother, and a human dad. But unlike me, he's never had someone to teach him how to use his gem powers. He's had to learn it all by himself. He told me that no amount training would help me step into my Mastered Gem Form. Soren says i'm the shield of Humanity. My mother told me I'm gonna have to make a choice when I've mastered the power of my gem."

"So much to accomplish, at such a young age. I have your back back Steven, no matter what you decide on. Because I love you too. And one day, not today or tomorrow, I'll show you that that word can mean more than one thing."

Lapis gave him a wink and hugged him. "Ok. You can train under Carlos Steven. I'm not mad."

"Thanks Lapis."

Casa Cookie Cat

2:50 [Afternoon]

Jumping down onto the sandy ground from Lapis's window, Steven erected a wooden hand that shot out of the ground that he used to soften his landing. The wooden hand sunk back down into the ground and left Steven on the sand. He looked up to Lapis's window and saw her give him a thumbs up. A gesture he returned back to her.

Steven ran over to see Baby whistles at Bells and Citrine's home, a home he called 'Casa Cookie Cat.' Amethyst and Sapphire were helping Bells paint the outside of the home. Ruby slumbered peacefully on top of the roof. One leg crossed over the other, hands behind her head.

"Hey Steven, wanna give me and Cookie cat here a hand in painting his new home." Amethyst asked Steven who made his way up the front steps.

"I'd love to Amethyst. Hey cookie cat. I just came here to see whistles and Citrine."

Bells nodded and continued to paint alongside the windows. Unlike Amethyst or Sapphire, bells was brushing telekinetically. Controlling several brushes at a time, he was getting more done than the other gems.

Steven waltzed into the foyer of the home and heard scratching noises. He looked inside of still empty closet rooms and kitchen area. In the area which was basically the living room, Steven saw baby whistles already crawling on wooden floor. Citrine was constructing furniture with a neat ability known as super craftsmanship. Using a little bit of lumber from the floor, Citrine was able to generate more lumber to make tables, couches and seats.

"Citrine?"

"Steven? Hey. How's everything been. Did you and pearl find out what the other human, Carlos wanted to show you?"

"Yeah. Turns out Carlos was just like me and whistles, a hybrid. He's very old. Not as old as you and the crystal gems, but still pretty old."

"That's amazing Steven. hybrids are something special, unique and enviable. My baby will all of my gem abilities and powers, which are, as I know of. Concussions beams, Elektrokinesis, heightened strength and craftsmanship. From his daddy he'll most likely inherit martian telepathy, telekinesis, claw retraction, heightened speed, reflexes and that feared Feral mind martians are known for."

"Feral...Mind?" Steven asked, unsure of what Citrine was referring to.

"It's a monthly event that takes place at the end of each month for very young martian children. Young Martians lose partial or total mental control due in part to their telepathic and telekinetic abilities trying to integrate themselves in their brain and mind. My Bells told me he's experienced it only a few times in his very early life.

You know Steven. In three earth years my baby will reach the age of fourteen. I would take it as an immense honor if you would teach him how to master his gem powers when you eventually master your own. Me and Bells can only teach him the abilities that he inherited from me and his father. But as a hybrid, that's something only another hybrid can teach him."

Steven looked over at Whistles who was lifting up chairs his mother made with telekinesis. He made typical baby noises. Steven approached Whistles and picked him up. Whistles dropped the chair he was lifting up with his mind and stretched his arms out to feel Steven's face.

"When I'm seventeen, you'll be fourteen little guy. And by that time, hopefully I'll have mastered my gem power." Steven leaned his face in and felt Whistle's soft paws and small claws on his cheeks.

"Ok. I'll do it Citrine. In three years, i'll be Whistles Mentor and big brother."

Greg's Van

6:00 [Evening]

Taking the time to talk to Bells after his house was finished being painted, Steven passed by his favorite stops in town before finally heading over to his father's place of business. When he arrived at his dad's business, it was nearing six in the evening. He founds his father, sleeping on a lawn chair with a still running hose in his hand. Inside of his ears were headphones, old 80's songs playing to his nostalgic ears. Steven woke him up and asked him if he could take him to Connie's place.

Greg shook the sleep off and pulled the headphones out of his ears. He stood up out of his chair and stretched his arms out.

"Sure thing kiddo. Hey wait a sec. I thought Mr and Mrs Maheswaran didn't want you visiting Connie anymore."

"I know. But I really need to talk to her. It's about our...relationship." Steven said very sorrowful.

"Oh geez kiddo. I'm sorry. Sometimes parents do things because...it'll be better for their kids down the road. Come on, we can talk about it on the way over there."

while driving over to Palmyra. Greg left the radio on at a low enough volume for songs to get through while he and his son spoke.

"the palms of my hands are getting sweaty. My heart beat is racing faster, the closer we get dad. I hate feeling like this dad. Why couldn't they just understand."

"The Maheswarans are only doing what's best for their daughter Steven. This world is cold, cruel and unforgiving, to everyone of every flag and religion. But perhaps none more so than to girls and women. Whether their human or gem, or both. But hey, you two will stay remain friends, I'm sure Mr and Mrs Maheswaran can't be that stuffy that they can't allow you two to still be friends."

"It's not them I'm worried about dad. It's Connie. Dad...i...i love Lapis. But I also still love Connie. is that bad? To love two people, knowing these two people don't like each other."

"Wow. My boy is already struggling with the reality of love and romance. Yes Steven, it's bad to love two people who don't like each other. It does not mean you are a bad person. You know how I know son, because you have a good heart. You care about not hurting peoples feelings. but in matters like this, hearts are going to break no matter how much you hope for a mutual understanding."

Steven smiled, softly and weakly, but still smiled. "hey dad, do you still love Mom. Do you ever miss her?"

The question kind of took Greg for a surprise, but not one he wasn't willing to answer. "Ok, since we're kind of sharing deep secrets with each other. Steven, you know about me and Sasha green right?"

"Yeah I think so. She's that other lady you've been talking to, right?"

"Right. Listen Steven. I love Rose, I still do even to this day in my age. But Gems, they don't age. They don't get sick, they don't get hungry. They don't even need sleep. Their not human. No matter how beautiful and kind your mother was Steven, I dont think she would love me if I looked like a grandfather. If I had just a thousand years and you're mother was still allowed to return to me; I would never let her go.

But i'm only human Steven. I'm going to leave this world someday, and even though I know you're always going to be there for me. As a man, I yearn for the love of a woman. That sweet womanly embrace. The pair lips of that person I can say 'I love you' to and grow even older with. I guess when I think about it, we're kind of in the same boat."

Steven and Greg held hands and held back tears, Steven being the youngest let a few slide down his cheeks. To change the subject, Greg had one last piece of information he wanted to share with Steven before they arrived at Palmyra.

'Steven, in July I'm going to move to Connecticut to live with Sasha for the remainder of the year."

"What? But dad, does this mean I'm not going to see you anymore."

"Me and Sasha are till thinking about the date. Maybe we'll give it one more or three more years. But I will still see you Steven. Look we have plenty of time to talk about this later. Right now, Connie is waiting."

Maheswaran Residence

7:30 [Night]

"Connie. Can you feel him?" said the voice of commander Smoky.

"Yes Smoky. Steven's finally come back." Connie said under he breath. She was laying down on her bed, looking up at glowing star stickers on the ceiling.

Connie jumped out of her bed and went over to her door which she had closed. She pressed her ear on it and heard the front door door bell ringing. She heard the rumblings of her parents as they first checked out to see who it was through the window. They took a hold of the doorknob, turned it and opened the door. Connie pressed her hands on the door and listened to what was being said.

"Good evening Mr and Mrs. Maheswaran. I know the last time I left here things were-"

"Forgive me for interrupting you Steven," Connie heard her mother say, "Please forgive my husband for screaming at you. Connie explained everything that happened between you two."

"Wow Mrs. Maheswaran, that...that means a lot to me. I appreciate the apology. Can I talk to your daughter, please."

Mrs Maheswaran looked over at her husband who was suppose to say yes. But he was still angry about the whole ordeal. She elbowed him on his side and gave him a "let them in" look. He uncrossed his arms and stepped aside and grudgingly invited them in.

Steven walked past the Maheswarans and marched up the steps of the stairs. Connie stepped back from her bedroom door, walked back over to her bed and sat down, one leg crossed over the other.

She could hear Steven's nervous sigh on the other side of the door, just before he knocked on it. Three times, Steven knocked three times on her bedroom door. Connie inhaled and exhaled some air before answering.

"Come in." she said confidently.

Steven grabbed the knob and turned it. He pushed the door slowly and walked in. his heart skipped a beat when he saw Connie. He closed the door behind him without breaking his gaze on connie. At the click of the door lock, Connie jumped out of her bed and rushed over to Steven who pressed his back on the door and shut his eyes as tightly as he could. He felt Connie press her forehead on his, her hand cupping the side of his face.

"Steven...look at me." she said sternly at him.

Steven shook in his sandals for many reasons, but the one reason which scared him was the one he and father spoke of in his van.

Crystal Temple, Beach City

7:35 [Night]

Carlos was hanging out outside of the Beach home, looking out into the setting sun from the deck. He waited for Pearl to come out of the temple, she took the time to retreat back into her gemstone to decide on some clothing for a night out on the town. She came out wearing a white sleeveless Parker top with ruffles and a black skirt. On her feet she wore black ankle boots w/straps. Her hair style she kept in the same medium length bob.

She checked herself in the same mirror Lapis was once trapped in. she heard someone humming on Steven's bed. She looked away from her reflection and over to Steven's bed.

"is someone there?" Pearl asked.

"Just me pearl, lapis." Lapis answered.

"Oh Lapis. Hey. wait what are you doing in Steven's bed?" she wondered.

"I miss Steven. His scent on his bed reminds me of him, makes me feel like's he's still here. That's not weird is it?"

"Not at all. Hey look, me and Carlos are going out tonight. If Steven asks, tell him we'll be back."

"Ok. Wait, where is Steven?"

"Not sure. He's his own person Lapis. he can't stay cooped up here everyday for the rest of his life. Alright Lapis, I'm out. talk to you later."

Lapis walked down the steps and saw Pearl and Carlos embrace each other outside the , kissing and laughing. Carlos was wearing a jet black suit with green and black two tone oxford shoes on his feet. His waistcoat was green as was his tie. his long sleeve shirt underneath his suit, white. Lapis has never seen Pearl so in love before, or ever.

"it sure must be nice to be in love." Lapis thought.

Continued in Chapter 26.

(!) "Starting somewhere between Chapters 35 or 36 I will begin writing chapters of Home-world's initial attacks on Earth. the 'home-world attacks arc.' That does not mean Yellow diamond will appear. I'm talking about messing with the plant life on earth, sending different "misfortunes" before finally heading to earth herself. Thank you again to everyone whose been reading and following this story, I love you guys. Steven Universe FTW!"